Panel engraving.

[Lyndon]

I'm finalising my panel in my kit.

Can I get it engraved here in Australia if I get a blank panel. The cost as add on is outrageous.

Thanks Lyndon 

[Blueadventures]

29 minutes ago, Lyndon said:

I'm finalising my panel in my kit.

Can I get it engraved here in Australia if I get a blank panel. The cost as add on is outrageous.

Thanks Lyndon 

What panel is usual in the aircraft?

 

For info I used the Dymo Lable printer with the white print on black for my panel and it looks ok.

[Lyndon]

I really want it printed or engraved. I don't know the process. I can cut the holes out and paint it. 

Then I just need it printed?

Lyndon 

[rodgerc]

I had a few laser etched. Here’s the latest I did a few weeks ago for the friend’s RV-8

[Lyndon]

That's what I'm after 

Lyndon 

[rodgerc]

My own panel…If you’re in Brisbane I can give you the name of the chap with the laser. You’ll need to complete your cut-outs, do a layout in 2D CAD and have the “blank” powder coated before he does the etching. 

[Lyndon]

I'm in Adelaide 

Does it work with paint?? Instead of powder coating??

If someone in Adelaide does it that would be preferable. But basically that's exactly what I'm after

Thanks lyndon 

[Lyndon]

I'm a long way from doing the panel.

I'm comfortable leaving the panel upgrade out now. I will have it done here and save some money. 

Thanks for the info.

Lyndon 

[rodgerc]

Anyone with a low power engraving laser can do it. It works with paint, preferably 200 microns. To achieve the effect, mask the panels once painted with old fashioned masking tape. Don’t use the silicone impregnated type. The lasers etches away the tape. Once etched, blow it off with compressed air to remove any residual “ash”, then spray the etched area with rattle can epoxy in a contrasting colour. Once dried, remove the masking tape and you’ll have nice sharp text. 

[Lyndon]

So it makes a stencil 

 

[sfGnome]

That is very neat. Does the laser engrave in to the paint surface, or just leave a stencil in the masking tape? That is, does the finished product leave the text rising above the base paint (where it could, over time, get rubbed off), or is the text set into the base paint so it’s somewhat protected?

[onetrack]

Here's a number of laser engraving/etching companies in Adelaide ...

 

Laser Cutting Adelaide | Custom Laser Cutting & Engraving

WWW.PHRAXLASER.COM.AU

---

Custom laser cutting and engraving in Adelaide. 30 years of experience. Quick turnaround, highest quality, and cost-effective solutions for B2B and B2C clients.

 

Laser Engraving | Laser Cutting | Adelaide South |

SOUTHERNENGRAVING.COM.AU

 

Engraving Specialists | Adelaide - Engraving Crew

WWW.ENGRAVINGCREW.COM.AU

---

When attention to detail, engraving expertise and customer service are the criteria for your engraver, then The Engraving Crew will meet your expectations – and more…

 

Edited February 6 by onetrack

[Moneybox]

I guess the days of engraving have gone. We used to use an engraver in Balcatta WA. The machine just followed whatever image/text we supplied but worked like a milling machine and mechanically cut it out. For jobs like this they used a triplex plastic where they cut through the top layer exposing the text colour layer underneath. No paint or anything else.

[Moneybox]

3 minutes ago, Moneybox said:

I guess the days of engraving have gone. We used to use an engraver in Balcatta WA. The machine just followed whatever image/text we supplied but worked like a milling machine and mechanically cut it out. For jobs like this they used a triplex plastic where they cut through the top layer exposing the text colour layer underneath. No paint or anything else.

For jobs like this we'd just supply a CAD drawing of the entire dash and the engraver would cut the holes as well.

[rodgerc]

6 hours ago, Lyndon said:

So it makes a stencil 

 

Yes and etches the aluminium 

[rodgerc]

5 hours ago, sfGnome said:

That is very neat. Does the laser engrave in to the paint surface, or just leave a stencil in the masking tape? That is, does the finished product leave the text rising above the base paint (where it could, over time, get rubbed off), or is the text set into the base paint so it’s somewhat protected?

The panel’s paint (~200 microns) is vaporised and the aluminium is just a little “etched”. The rattle can epoxy is probably only 50-75 microns thick, so it is ever so slightly recessed. 

[skippydiesel]

As , I think, has been mentioned - having an engraved, stick on plaque can be very professional looking AND if any changes to the panel layout are made easily adjusted.

Engraving the panel itself, pretty much sets it"in stone" future changes will either look messy, wrong or require replacing the whole panel at considerable inconvenience and cost😈

[sfGnome]

Therein lies the conundrum. If you get a store-bought plane, it all looks flash and, of course, you can’t change anything. If you build yourself, you have to trade off your ability to change things as often as you wish against your desire to make it look as store-bought as possible (for the psychological comfort of intending passengers if nothing else. There’s still plenty of folk whose concept of a home-built is that of a lawnmower engine strapped to a broomstick with some old sheets for wings 😱).

 

That trade-off is, of course, a personal decision (and one that I have yet to make).

[facthunter]

Matt Black epoxy with Dymo tape. Just get it level.. Nev 

[onetrack]

The engraved plastic strips glued to the instrument panel would be my choice. The plastic strips are multi-layer strips of plastic and the engraving produces a very professional finish. Dymo tape falls off with high temperatures.

[skippydiesel]

This my panel. Switch/Breaker information all in laser engraved, adhesive plaques. Not too shabby?😈